Idiot

Posted for July 9
When I got up this morning, I called my self an idiot!
Flash Back two weeks ago
I got a phone call a week prior to my trip from a Euro Rail Agent. I originally had purchased a train ticket from Pamplona to Bordeaux which has a stop over/transfer point at Hendaye, France. The Agent informed me that first part of the train ride (Pamplona to Hendaye) was no longer available due to construction and the best way to get to Bordeaux was to reroute to San Sebastian then to Hendaye then to Bordeaux. With out thinking I agreed and paid for the additional fees.

This morning
I got up this morning and thought about my train ride to Bordeaux. Looking at my ticket I didn’t realize the train ride to San Sebastian was an 1 hour 45 min. A bus ride to San Sebastian is an hour and would only cost 7 Euro. At that point, the hamster wheel in my head started to turn in which the light bulb promptly clicked. I said out loud, “Sh*T, Mother F*CKER! I’m a freaking idiot!” Ant looked at me and said what. I replied, “The taxi to the train station would be about 7 Euro and the bus ticket to San Sebastian is 7 Euro! The bus station is walking distance and the Charter Bus Ride would be faster.” So basically, I’m going to eat the first part of my train ride to Bordeaux which is fine because I get to enjoy San Sebastian for a few hours.

So it looks like I’ve thrown quite of bit of money away:
- Lost a little bit over a hundred euro when it fell out of my pocket
- Eating the additional fees on my train ride
Above all this, I’m ok with it. I’ve alive and having a great time. It’s just one of those little hiccups that happen along the way.

Night time activities
Ant and I hit the square at 11:30 pm. Like the other night and nights to follow, the square is filled with people. We found an open area to settle down in and opened our drinks - Absolute Vodka and Naranja (Orange Soda). After about an hour of drinking and enjoying the free open air concert, we met a group of Americans. We gave them a box of wine that we brought along to give away. We had so much alcohol left over in our apartment from previous nights, between 2 people and the previous night of drinking, we had to give it away. As our conversation died with the group of Americans, Anthony pointed out two gals. I walked of to them and offered them some vodka. They’re names were Hannah (Australian) and Meghan (American from Chicago). They were both traveling together and went to school together at Northwestern University. As were about to leave, 2 other guys introduced themselves and wanted to come along. We all went to a couple bars.

The last bar we went to had 2 floors. On the second floor was a large window with a ledge to stand in - enough to fit 3 comfortably. While standing outside, I started to dance a bit. As I did, I took out my video camera and a group of guys approached me and asked if I was Japon (Japaneese). I said no and told them I was Filipino. I pointed the camera over to the second floor ledge and a group of guys were cheering. They then told me to come up. I entered the bar and got to the second floor ledge and we all started chanting. Anthony then came up as well in which we stayed for about 5 min then decided to head back outside. Ant and I then decided to head back home. We were both tired and drunk.

Going away party

Posted for July 8
We watched fireworks last night, hung out at the square, and killed two bottles of Vodka. It was the last night before Janice, Preston, and Ron headed back to the States. I don’t think I need to get into the details, because even if I did, it would matter - I was too wasted to remember. 2 bottles of Vodka between 4 people in two hours (actually 3 people because Ant, Ron, and I had extra-extra helpings).

The only thing I do remember is:
1. Bugging the guys to get the apt keys from Janice. We didn’t want to disturb her conversation with a man friend. After waiting for an hour, it turned out the keys were in my pocket. I’m such a loser!!
2. Getting a late night Bocadillo (sandwich) from a street vendor on the way back to the apt. It had bacon, Chorizo, and tortilla (egg & potato omelet). YUMMY!!!

It’s fantastic that Pamplona has a nightly 15 minute firework display that starts at 11 and a nightly 2 hour concert that starts at midnight. This occurs for 7 days straight.

The Run Part II

I made it and I'm alive!

Bull Fight

Posted for July 6
We got up at about 10 and got ready for the opening ceremony which started at 12 noon. When we arrived at the area where the opening ceremony was conducted it was already filled with people chanting. We found an area to hang out 50 yards away and just kitty corner to the main area. As noon came closer, each street and alley way can be described as a sea of people.

Bull Fight
The Bull Fight was an experience that I prefer not to attend to again. It’s a great cultural experience, but the events the bulls endure made me understand why people and organizations protest these events. It’s like a cat and mouse game where a man on a horse toys with the bulls. They’re judged on technique and moves on how to avoid getting gored by the bull. In the process, the man on the horse spears the bulls on the top of his neck. Because the cat and mouse game is a process, the bulls are speared and die in a very slow manner. They endure about 8 spears prior to taking one final spear that puts them to rest. There were a total of 6 bouts. After watching the first bout, I had a sudden feel of sympathy for the rest of the bulls.

San Sebastian

Dated for July 2
Our room at Sebastian is pretty nice. We’ve got a Jr Suite and it’s located on the top floor with a balcony that overlooks San Sebastian.

With last night being the first night in town, we got crazy. We went pitxos (tapas) bar hopping and followed it up with a night of bar hopping. We got back to our hotel at about 6 am. Tired from our flights and a heavy night of drinking, we were all passed out till 5 pm in which we did it all again but instead of Tapas bar hopping we opted for paella. It’s really amazing how the sun doesn’t go down till 10pm. So getting up at 5 isn’t so bad.

Donde Esta (where are you)

Dated for July 3
My Spanish is terrible, but I try as hard as I can. I seriously am going to try to learn the language and use the program I have at home. I took Spanish in High School, but cheated my way through. Boy am I regretting that now; along with History. With the amount of traveling I’ve been doing the past few years, the history classes would of came in handy; and I really like Spain.

We were at a bar and I tried to talk to a gal who was on her way out of the bar with her group of gals. As she walked passed me I went up to her and asked, “Excuse me, donde esta?” She looked at me all weird and must of thought I was an idiot. What I should of said was, “donde va?” (where are you going).

Finaly in San Sebastian

After a 20 hour Travel day, I'm finally in San Sebastian. This city is AWESOME!!! It's super chill with a great beach. We found a wine shop and picked up a bottle of wine. In the process, the owner let us try a slice of some Prime Jamon fresh off the cured leg. Although it's over cast, we shared the bottle of wine on the beach promenade.